Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 10/10/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi Bob,
I've noticed some odd behavior lately with the wrens,and black birds in our yard.  It began at the beginning of summer.  We have always fed them wild bird seed and niger seed (finches) and kept fresh water out daily.  They were just pile driving that stuff like they hadn't eaten in forever.  Same amount of birds we usually get each year, but eating tons of food.  We were absolutely swarmed by black birds too!  Finches galore.  We even had blue birds for the first time nesting in a bird house on the back of our shed.  never has that happened!  The chickadees have always been around.  But, the wrens are fighting over a small bird house in the corner of our awning.  There's got to be atleast ten of them!  They always build a nest up there and have a couple of babies twice during the summer.  Is it unusual for them to be building again?  Just wondering.  We live in northern ohio near the lake if that helps.

ANSWER: Interesting. The warmer weather this year has changed bird habits in many areas. Do you have Carolina Wrens (white eye stripe)or the bad acting House Wrens? I have both here in NE OK, and they stay here all year and will fight over boxes in the fall so that they have a warm place to stay on cold nights.

Regarding Bluebirds, If you will send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net I will send at no obligation my free 20 page Bluebird book that will make you an expert Bluebirder. I have sent out more than 2400 across the US and Canada. Good luck! Bluebird Bob Walshaw.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: They are house wrens, but they have never nested in the houses in the winter.  Never.  I've been here over 10 years and i've never seen it happen.  We don't mind, in fact we put up another house just in case.  This summer wasn't any warmer than any other here in ohio, so I can't understand the theory.  It's just really odd.  But thank you for your reply.

Answer
If you have House Wrens that is bad news. They are the ones that will fill multiple boxes with sticks, puncture other bird's eggs and throw their young out of nests and bird houses. They don't nest in the winter but like Bluebirds, Downy Woodpeckers, etc. they will use a nest box on cold nights if they do not go south from your area. Feel free to use my email address.
walshaw1@cox.net to send me your mailing address for my free 20 page Bluebird book and if you have any more questions. Bluebird Bob walshaw.